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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'>The proposed wind turbines described in this and similar proposals I’ve
seen are examples of what appears to be terrible siting. As I have
previously written the American Bird Conservancy, in its white paper, supports
wind turbine technology in principle as a clean energy source and much less
harmful to birds than conventional power sources. However, they point out
that benign siting is a key condition of that support. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'>Here’s an email sent to me by <st1:PersonName w:st="on"><st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Michael</st1:PersonName> Fry</st1:PersonName>, ABC’s lead
scientist on this issue, in response to an email I sent him about similar turbines
and their destructiveness to bats. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><b><i><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>Michael</span></font></i></b></st1:PersonName><b><i><span
style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'> Fry</span></i></b></st1:PersonName><b><i><span
style='font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'> <mfry@abcbirds.org></span></i></b>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Hi Donnie, thanks for the info on the <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alberta</st1:place></st1:State> wind farm.
It was talked about at the <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Colorado</st1:place></st1:State>
meeting I was at last month, because of the bat kills. This is the 4<sup>th</sup>
wind farm with significant kills of migrating bats. The turbines are
1.8MW Vestas turbines, with rotor blades about 40-44 meters long (131-144 feet)
and an overall height of about 400 feet. These are the standard giant
turbines being used for major energy projects, unlike the small turbines planned
for the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:City>
buildings. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>I have contacted Dan Boone, the author of
the news note that you sent, to get more information.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Michael</span></font></st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'>Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'>Donnie Dann<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'>Highland Park/Lake County<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt'>donniebird@yahoo.com</span></font></st1:PersonName><font
size=4><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=4 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
bcnnet-bounces@ece.iit.edu [mailto:bcnnet-bounces@ece.iit.edu] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Birdchris@aol.com<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, March 05, 2006 3:41
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> bcnnet@ece.iit.edu<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [<st1:PersonName w:st="on">BCN</st1:PersonName>net]
<st1:PersonName w:st="on">BCN</st1:PersonName>net: wind turbine effect on birds
and bats needs morestudy</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Sierra Club renewable energy people are
starting to talk more on our list serves about bird and bat safety when it
comes to placement of wind turbines. This was posted up onto one of our list
serves.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Christine Williamson<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Chicago/Cook<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><a href="mailto:birdchris@aol.com">birdchris@aol.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Windmill project could kill birds and
bats, report says<br>
While not opposing the plans, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Va.</st1:place></st1:State>
game officials say effects need study<br>
<br>
BY REX SPRINGSTON<br>
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER [<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Roanoke</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">VA</st1:State></st1:place>] - Mar 4, 2006<br>
<br>
Nineteen big windmills proposed for remote <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Highland</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
could<br>
produce "the highest mortality rates in the East" for birds and bats,
a<br>
state report says. [This report is available via: <br>
http://www.vawind.org/Assets/Docs/19301_Hi.pdf .]<br>
<br>
But biologists of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, which<br>
produced the report, say the precise effects of the windmills are<br>
unknown because so little research has been done.<br>
<br>
"We are not in a position of saying we oppose the project, but we are<br>
simply saying it needs very careful study," said Ray Fernald, manager<br>
of nongame programs for the game department.<br>
<br>
Highland New Wind Development, run by Henry T. McBride of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Harrisonburg</st1:place></st1:City>,<br>
is proposing the windmills for two 4,300-foot-high ridges in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Highland</st1:place></st1:City>,<br>
about 150 miles northwest of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Richmond</st1:place></st1:City>.<br>
<br>
Each windmill would stand nearly 400 feet tall -- about the height of<br>
the Federal Reserve Bank in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Richmond</st1:place></st1:City>.
The project would be <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>'s<br>
first major wind farm. Depending on how strong the wind blows, the 19<br>
<st1:place w:st="on">Highland</st1:place> windmills could produce as much as 38
megawatts of power,<br>
enough on average for 15,000 to 20,000 homes, supporters say.<br>
<br>
Highland New Wind is seeking permission from the State Corporation<br>
Commission to build the windmills. As part of that process, state<br>
agencies are reviewing possible environmental effects. The new report<br>
is the game department's review.<br>
<br>
Meanwhile, the state Department of Environmental Quality, which<br>
coordinates those state reviews, suspended the review Wednesday until<br>
Highland New Wind responds to issues raised by the game department and<br>
other agencies.<br>
<br>
The state Department of Historic Resources, for example, wants a<br>
"viewshed analysis" to show where the windmills would be seen.<br>
<br>
Once the company responds, the reviews will continue and documents<br>
reflecting all sides will be passed on to the SCC, said Bill Hayden, a<br>
spokesman for the Department of Environmental Quality.<br>
<br>
Hayden said the suspension is not unusual but could cause a delay of<br>
weeks, if not months.<br>
<br>
Frank Maisano, a spokesman for Highland New Wind, said the company<br>
would work hard to satisfy the agencies.<br>
<br>
"There will be a minimal impact on the environment as a whole, because<br>
it is a wind project," Maisano said.<br>
<br>
Much of the game department's 22-page report is a response to a 2005<br>
study by ABR Inc., a consultant for Highland New Wind.<br>
<br>
ABR used radar and other means to gauge the abundance of bats and birds<br>
flying at night along the two <st1:place w:st="on">Highland</st1:place> ridges
from mid-August to<br>
mid-October. Bats are nocturnal, and most songbirds migrate at night.<br>
<br>
The ABR researchers indicated thousands of birds and bats could be<br>
flying along the ridges during the two months. [see graphics of at-risk<br>
nocturnal migrants: <br>
http://www.vawind.org/Assets/Pictures/migrant%20numbers%20by%20altitude.pdf<br>
]<br>
<br>
The game department's report responded: "We believe this may translate<br>
into the highest mortality rates in the East."<br>
<br>
The game department, which was not asked to contribute to the study,<br>
wants to work with the consultant to design future research, said<br>
biologist Andrew Zadnik.<br>
<br>
Animals possibly at risk from the windmills include two endangered<br>
species, the <st1:State w:st="on">Virginia</st1:State> big-eared bat and the <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Indiana</st1:place></st1:State> bat, the game<br>
agency's report said. The <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>
big-eared bat is the official state<br>
bat.<br>
<br>
The report recommended, among other things, another year of studying<br>
bird and bat activity before the windmills are built. (Another agency,<br>
the Department of Conservation and Recreation, recommended at least two<br>
years of study.)<br>
<br>
The game department's report also called for at least three more years<br>
of study after construction, including searches for carcasses.<br>
<br>
It may be possible, the report said, to accommodate the developers and<br>
the animals -- perhaps by shutting down the windmills when the airborne<br>
animals are most abundant.<br>
<br>
The report also suggested looking into how often larger birds, such as<br>
hawks and eagles, fly <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Highland</st1:place></st1:City>'s
ridges by day.<br>
<br>
Most American windmills operate in the West and <st1:place w:st="on">Midwest</st1:place>,
but developers<br>
are increasingly looking to Eastern mountains, home to abundant winds<br>
and wildlife.<br>
<br>
Nearly 90 windmills are running in the <st1:place w:st="on">Appalachian
Mountains</st1:place>, and more<br>
than 900 are planned or proposed for <st1:State w:st="on">Virginia</st1:State>,
<st1:State w:st="on">West Virginia</st1:State>, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Maryland</st1:place></st1:State><br>
and <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:place></st1:State>,
the report said. The report calls for considering the<br>
cumulative effect of those projects.<br>
<br>
In addition to raising concerns about flying animals, the game<br>
department's report said <st1:place w:st="on">Highland</st1:place> "is one
of the premiere sites" in<br>
<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:State> for
outdoorsy tourists such as bird watchers.<br>
<br>
"Development of the project could result in many tourists going<br>
elsewhere," the report said. Supporters have suggested the windmills<br>
may draw tourists.<br>
<br>
The SCC will hold hearings on the windmill proposal March 13 and 14 in<br>
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Monterey</st1:place></st1:City>.<br>
<br>
Contact staff writer Rex Springston at rspringston@timesdispatch.com or<br>
(804) 649-6453.<br>
<br>
Birds, bats and windmills<br>
<br>
Nineteen big windmills are proposed for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Highland</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
ridges. A new<br>
state report says:<br>
<br>
• The windmills could kill large numbers of birds and bats.<br>
• They could drive away some tourists.<br>
• More study is needed, including collecting animal carcasses if the<br>
windmills go up.<br>
<br>
Windmill hearings<br>
<br>
WHAT: The State Corporation Commission will hold four public hearings<br>
on the proposed <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Highland</st1:PlaceType>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> windmills.<br>
<br>
WHEN: March 13 at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. and March 14 at 4 and 7 p.m.<br>
<br>
WHERE: <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Highland</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Elementary
School</st1:PlaceType> gymnasium, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Monterey</st1:place></st1:City>.<br>
<br>
RULES: Like court. No signs, demonstrations or cheers.<br>
<br>
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137834500931&path=!news&s=1045855934842<br>
<br>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br>
To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see:<br>
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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